Knowing the challenges Flamengo will face in its Campeonato Carioca opener on Sunday against Friburguense at the Maracanã stadium, coach Cuca worked extensively on rehearsed plays during Friday's training session at Gávea Stadium. For nearly an hour, the Flamengo manager practiced corner kicks and free kicks near the box and in front of the goal.

Defender Fábio Luciano praised the activity and said that set pieces can decide a match.

"We're working hard on these plays, which we already knew from facing Botafogo during Cuca's time. They were always very difficult plays to call. Now we have the opportunity to use them to our advantage. We have to take advantage of them, because set pieces can decide a match," said the captain.

Immediately after the tactical activity, the squad played a lively soccer game, which featured attacking midfielder Zé Roberto. He participated with ease and had a good laugh at the banter between Ibson and Léo Moura.

The Flamengo squad will return tomorrow at 9am in Gávea for their final training session before their debut in the Campeonato Carioca.